Most reluctantly, and with terrible misgivings of what might be the result of the frightful adventure into which he was about to be dragged, the beadle fetched a link from the vestry. It was lighted, and Sir Richard Blunt tying a string to it, let it down into the passage beneath the church. The light was not extinguished, but it burnt feebly and with but a wan and sickly lustre.
"It will do," said Sir Richard. "We can live in that place, although a protracted stay might be fatal. Follow me; I will go first, and I hope we shall not have our trouble only for our pains."
CHAPTER L.
THE DESCENT TO THE VAULTS.
Sir Richard commenced the descent.
"Come on," he said. "Come on."
He got down about half a dozen steps, but finding that no one followed him he paused, and called out—
"Remember that time is precious. Come on!"
"Why don't you go?" said the churchwarden to the beadle.
"What! Me go afore a blessed churchwarden? Conwulsions—no! I thinks and I hopes as I knows my place better."
"Well, but upon this occasion, if I don't mind it—"